The Navy has confirmed a report by DefenseNews.com that a small fire occurred aboard the new littoral combat ship Coronado during sea trials Friday in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship, which is scheduled to be homeported in San Diego, encountered the problem while it was testing its propulsion system. DefenseNews.com says insulation on the starboard diesel "smoldered, then ignited." The fire was quickly extinguished.

Chris Servello, a Navy spokesman, said in a Twitter message to U-T San Diego, "Key point-no injuries--minor damage."

The Coronado is an Independence-class LCS, a new type of warship that's meant to improve the Navy's ability to perform a variety missions at high speed in shallow coastal waters.